Groundbreaking held for RCH expansion
A conceptual presentation of the expansion project at the Russell County Hospital.
By Wade Daffron
TJ Editor
A smile fell across Russell County Hospital CEO Scott Thompson’s face as he stood before a distinguished crowd Monday.
“This has been a long time coming,” he said.
State and local dignitaries joined medical professionals at the local healthcare facility to conduct a groundbreaking for a $30 million expansion project.
The project includes a new operating room and emergency room, radiology department, front lobby, registration area, and new, state-of-the-art equipment.
After many years of discussing expansion at RCH, State Representative Josh Branscum announced last year funding had been made available for the project.
Through several plans, architectural drawings, “and lots of navigation,” Thompson said “it’s real now..and we’re about to move some dirt.”
From left, RCH Board Chairman Stuart Carman, Board Member Sherry Redmon, Board Member Steven Fletcher, Rocky Adkins, Senior Advisor to Governor Andy Beshear, Board Member Winfrey Bates, RCH CEO Scott Thompson, Congressman James Comer, Board Member Larry Helm, and Russell County Judge Executive Randy Marcum participated Monday in a groundbreaking for a $30 million expansion project at the local hospital.
In a true “across the aisle” gesture, Republican Congressman James Comer and Rocky Adkins, Senior Advisor to Governor Andy Beshear, were among those who attended the groundbreaking.
“A lot of people had stood up for hospitals in Kentucky,” Thompson said, “and we appreciate that.”
Adkins said he had researched the hospital’s history and noted people here “stood up time after time…it made sure it was going to provide healthcare to the community and surrounding region.”
“You’re celebrating a $30 million dollar expansion-almost doubling the size of this hospital,” he said. “You have to be proud of that. You folks have worked really hard to make something positive happen.”
Thompson told the crowd he recalled a conversation with Congressman Comer in 2022 at a hospital association event.
“We started talking about this project and what it may look like, what I envisioned,” the CEO said. “We talked for maybe two minutes that day, and he said, ‘I’ll help you try to get it done.’ I believe he kept his word!’
“This is a big day for Russell County,” Comer said. “It has been in the works for a long time.”
Comer cited the expansion project as a true, cooperative effort.
Russell County Hospital CEO Scott Thompson spoke this week about an expansion project at the local healthcare facility.
“It’s very difficult to put these types of deals together,” the congressman said. “Everybody has to work together.”
“I’m a big believer in rural hospitals,” he said. “It’s tough to survive in the rural healthcare business. But you’ve got a great administration here and they’re visionaries. I look forward to many years of prosperity for the hospital.”
Thompson thanked “the many people” (from employees, to citizens, to the RCH Board) involved in seeing the project along thus far.
Russell County Judge Executive Randy Marcum pointed out due to “sound financial planning…this critical investment is being made at no additional costs to taxpayers.”
The project came to fruition through “responsible leadership and strong partnerships,” Marcum said.
“Quality healthcare should be accessible and sustainable and community-centered,” he said.
The judge said events such as this show a glimpse of a brighter future.
“This isn’t just a groundbreaking,” he said. “We build hope.”
